The Icarus class Surveyor is Starfleet's first long-range scientific research and surveyor ship. Her design points to a single purpose: exploration. The Icarus class incorporates the most efficient warp drive yet constructed, and can operate for up to two years without the need to refuel. It is equipped with the most advanced sensors and scientific equipment ever devised, and combines them in a way that promotes and enhances independent shipboard research. It is a state-of-the-art interstellar laboratory. Despite all of its exploration capabilities, the Icarus is not intended as a combat vessel. Its limited armaments are for defensive purposes only, and her captains would be well advised to use the warp engines to escape would-be attackers.

Consolidating the roles of explorer and scientific platform, the Oberth is a far more durable and advanced performer than her Icarus class predecessor. The Oberth's impressive range, speed, and sensor capacities give it an unprecedented ability to search and explore the final frontiers beyond the borders of the Federation. Her impressive research laboratories also allow for sustained long-term research studies, boosting the Federation's deep-space research capability tremendously. Being provisioned with superior armaments to defend against any chance encounter with hostile aliens, it is certain to be the premier research vessel far into the future.

The Nova class has been long in coming. The durability of the Oberth surprised many, and although it performed admirably throughout its long life, the Nova class is a much warranted addition to the fleet in these changing times. Rather than design an entirely new class, ASDB specialists requisitioned the Defiant-class pathfinder vessel; by replacing the heavy weaponry with the most advanced multi-spectral sensor palettes, the weapon handling equipment and torpedo magazines with cutting edge science laboratories, and the overpowered reactor with the most efficient available, the Nova class has become the absolute antithesis of the Defiant project. These changes supplement the already impressive research capacities. Blended with both speed and endurance, it grants the Nova the forerunning position in new exploration efforts. The Nova class promises to be the torchbearer for scientific and planetary research and charting moving far into the next century.

The D'Raxinor class Science Ship is a lightly armed, long-range exploration vessel, whose purpose is to investigate, research, and survey the surrounding space and strategic sectors into which future expansion is to be focused. The D'Raxinor is equipped with the latest and most sensitive sensor equipment to fulfil its mission, and although not defenceless it is not a vessel suited to a prolonged combat engagement. But it is considered highly manoeuvrable, and in such scenarios there would be no shame in making use of that strength, and executing a strategic withdrawal.

The D'Renet class is a vastly improved performer over the now obsolete D'Raxinor. Propulsion breakthroughs have granted engineers the means to install the D'Renet with latest in impulse drive innovations, which grants it improved agility and power preservation. Sensors have also been overhauled and redesigned, allowing scientists to map layers of subspace that until recently exceeded their means. Critically, the D'Renet possesses a cloaking capability, that is thought will confound even the most vigilant of enemy sensors – it may even succeed in penetrating enemy borders undetected. But caution is always advised. Should a D'Renet be discovered and engaged its defensive arsenal would be no match for a powerful adversary: flight rather than fight is as always the prudent tactic.

This advanced Science Ship has been designed to bring it in line with Destroyer-type ships, and whereas before science vessels were seen as merely unarmed auxiliaries, now they are true combatants of the fleet. In every conceivable sense the D'Rakor class is a far superior deployment to the D'Renet that came before. It is equipped with an enhanced propulsion system; a noticeable improvement, it will be seen in close quarters combat, or at high warp. In tandem with its sophisticated cloaking system its shields are also more durable, and can now absorb a bombardment that would dismantle those of ships from previous generations. With these enhancements and additions the D'Rakor will still of course excel in its scientific role, and promises to be over all an outstanding asset for many years to come.

Vornak class

E3 class

CheI'wI' class

The Nerevok class Survey Ship is a light, poorly armed ship, whose only redeeming features are its extended range and powerful sensors. It is designed as an expendable exploratory vehicle but can, as need demands, operate as a light escort or raider. Its sensors, although calibrated principally for the illustrious goal of furthering scientific research and understanding, can be quite useful to other commanders in battle when their resources are thin, and may assist in interception attempts.

The Kakor class is a much needed improvement over the Nerevok class. New advances in propulsion allow longer-term deployments for its deep space explorations. And its upgraded sensor palettes make it the most advanced and multi-functional mobile observation platform in the Union, granting it the ability to scan to higher resolutions, as well as analyse and collate with a superior computing power. Its enhanced sub-light drive system, together with better defensive systems and weapons, now make it a viable light combat vessel. But commanders beware, the Kakor class should never be mistaken for a true warship.

The Praxon class advanced Survey Ship has finally answered the call for a versatile multi-role deep space exploration vessel. The Praxon will excel as the banner-bearer for the Union's policy of deep space exploration and observation… New weapons systems installed on the Praxon endow it with never before seen strength and durability for so small a ship, and its diminutive size enhances agility at impulse speeds. Kakor class commanders who inherit this ship may at last sate their desire for combat, for the Praxons promise to be shrewd and formidable customers in even large-scale skirmishes.

Serpent class

Viper class